Six Nations Sending Nearly 50 Athletes to North American Indigenous Games

Nearly 50 young athletes will represent Six Nations of the Grand River at the North American Indigenous Games, which begin Saturday in Nova Scotia.

More than half of those competing on behalf of the local Haudenosaunee community will play lacrosse, a sport believed to have originated there long before colonization.

“We can’t say enough about how proud we are of our local athletes,” Chief Mark B. Hill said in a release issued Friday.

“To have so many participants in one of the largest Indigenous athletic events in the world says a lot about our community. It says a lot about how active our youth are. It shows how involved our community members are. And it also shows how much pride we have here at Six Nations of the Grand River.”

In addition to lacrosse, athletes from the Six Nations contingent will compete in basketball, baseball, softball, swimming, archery, wrestling and canoe/kayak.

This year marks the 10th edition of the games, which will run through July 23 at venues in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook First Nation and Sipekne’katik. More than 5,000 athletes, coaches and staff are expected from more than 750 indigenous countries. It is expected that 3,000 volunteers will facilitate the games.

“This journey is more than just winning medals,” said the Six Nations publication. “It’s about participation, camaraderie, sportsmanship, connection and so many life experiences.”

Listed below are the athletes by sport.

Lacrosse

• Deeland Martin, male 19U
• Johnny Jacobs, male 7PM
• Kaleym Racette, male 19U
• Kayden Hearn, male 7PM
• Tylan Hill, male 7PM
• Dalen Burning, male 7PM
• Tray Miller, male 7PM
• Layten Myers, male 7PM
• Lleyton Bomberry-Sowden, male 7PM
• Gunnar Davis, Male 16U
• Kagan General, male 16U
• Harley Johns, male 16U
• Grayson Skye, male 16U
• Tyson General, male 16U
• Kaidyn Lickers, male 16U
• Logan Doxtator, male 16U
• Jason Cayuga, male 16U
• Tristan Garlow, male 16U
• Josey Jacobs, male 16U
• Cohen Visheau, male 16U
• Rhys Doolittle, male 16U
• Melia Martin, female 7PM
• Layla Johnson, female 7PM
• Rayleigh Kicknosway, female 7PM
• Teegan Jonathan, female 7PM
• Kianna Thompson, female 7PM
• Sofia Smith, female 7PM

Softball

• Cara Skye, female 16U
• Tess Squire, female 16U
• Karilee Martin, female 16U
• Ella-Sophia Kitchikake, female 16U
• Honey Anderson, female 16U
• Ryleen Davis, female 16U
• Jorja Bomberry, female 16U

struggling

archery

• Karissa Williams, female 7PM

Basketball

• Nathan Hill, male 7PM
• Caleb Thomas, male 19U
• John Gignac, male 19H

Basketball

• Breanna Stewart, female 7PM
• Korissa Davis, female 14U
• Daelon Smith, male 7PM
• Rodderek Smith, Male 14U
• Noah Jeffrey, male 14U
• Kaden Thomas, male 14U

Canoe/Kayak

• Silas Anderson, Male 14U
• Swimming
• Abigail Fellinger, female 16U
• Matilda Gordon, female 2PM
• Jack Gollan, male 14U